North Yorkshire rugby union star Dan Clappison is set to join in the war of the Roses at Morley on Saturday.

Fly-half Clappison, from Harswell, near Market Weighton, has been selected to make his debut for the full Yorkshire XV against Lancashire.

The former Yorkshire Schools, Harrogate and England Colts player has notched more than 200 points this season for Otley, who are closing in on the Jewson National League division one title.

A familiar figure at Pocklington RUFC, for whom his father was a record-breaking first XV captain, Clappison, a former Pocklington School pupil, is one of five Otley players in the Yorkshire line-up.

Also in the team is Harrogate's Peter Taylor, whose club-mates Rob Faulkner and Richard Whyley are in the squad as replacements.

Yorkshire's opening game in the County Championship is against Leicestershire at Sandal on Easter Sunday (April 23).

Yorkshire: Mark Wolff (Sandal); Simon Smith (Otley), Stuart Dixon (Wakefield), Andy Hodgson (Wharfedale), Mark Kirkby; Dan Clappison, Andy Brown; Ronnie Kelly (all Otley); John Lawn (Wharfedale), Richard Szabo (Halifax), David Lister (Wharfedale), Peter Taylor (Harrogate), Richard Senior (Doncaster), Hedley Verity (Wharfedale), Mark Sowerby (Wakefield).

Replacements: Graham Smith (Wharfedale), Martyn Smith (Halifax), Rob Faulkner (Harrogate), Richard Whyley (Harrogate), Alex Ledger (Sandal), Jason Mortimer (Sandal). The strength of rugby union club teams in the area is hit this weekend with players drawn towards watching the Calcutta Cup clash between Scotland and England at Murrayfield on Sunday.

So many York RI players will be at Murrayfield that they have called off tomorrow's scheduled non-league game against Thornensians, who are also believed to be in a similar position to RI.

Pocklington are searching for a fixture as their original opponents, Castleford, have arranged to play their UAP Yorkshire Cup first round tie at Middlesbrough tomorrow, although the Cup competition is not scheduled to start until April 11.

Stand-off Toby Cockcroft continues his half-back partnership with James Arkle when York tackle West Park Bramhope in a club match at Clifton Park.

York will be bidding for a third successive win following victories at Hull and at home to Horden last week.

Ripon have North Ribblesdale as visitors tomorrow, but will be without Pete Simms at No 8 as he is rested - Jim Anderson takes his place.

Bill Freeman has relinquished his place in the Scarborough half backs and is replaced for their clash with Beverley by Jonathan Scarth.

In a rearranged Yorkshire Two league game, Malton and Norton travel to Heath with Richard Ellis back at prop.

Carl Rushworth moves to the back row where he displaces David Knaggs, who is named on the replacements' bench.

Selby face a stern test when they visit one of the North Division One front runners, Driffield with fly-half Carl Paterson missing with a knee injury.

Dave Batty deputises for Paterson after switching from full back, where Simon Hall gets the nod. Derek Kibble is named on Selby's wing.

With Tommy Burton injured, John Hick comes in at lock after moving from the back row where Andy Minto is named.

Nestl Rowntree take a party of 20 players to Skegness for a friendly game, the group staying overnight before returning on Sunday.

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